Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi , Ganpati-making workshops are offering devotees a different way to prepare for the festival — by creating the idol themselves. The workshops bring together art, tradition and sustainability, with participants working with natural clay to sculpt their own murtis and, in some cases, take them home for the festival.
Samah Jain, a workshop curator, says, “People are increasingly looking for experiences where they can make something with their own hands. ‘Creating the idol yourself adds another layer to the celebration’ For many participants, the appeal lies as much in the process as in the finished idol. With Ganpati, there is an emotional connection, so creating the idol yourself adds another layer to the celebration.”
Tia Shah, a homemaker, who came along with her daughter Samaira, says, “My 12-year-old daughter enjoyed the process more than I expected. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news.
It is about enjoying the process, learning something new and staying connected to our cultural roots,” he says. Samah Jain, a workshop curator, says, “People are increasingly looking for experiences where they can make something with their own hands. I wanted her to experience the festival in a hands-on way, and making the Ganpati herself made it feel more meaningful for both of us. ‘Making Bappa is for everyone’ Yash Gupte, founder of an art studio, believes making the idol adds a personal dimension to the festival. “Art has always brought people together and helped us celebrate our culture. Sculpting your own Ganpati brings devotion into a personal, hands-on experience. The workshops are designed for beginners too. “Sculpture can take years to master, but working with mud and clay comes naturally to many of us. So, even beginners can find the process intuitive and enjoyable, making Bappa is for everyone. The clay settles at the bottom after immersion and can be collected, remixed and reused. This makes the process more mindful and sustainable,” Yash adds. Sculpting is a joyful, meditative, creative art — a journey towards self-realisation. When I practised it and truly realised its joy, I felt that this art should be shared with more and more people — Mukund Bhagwan Jahagirdar, architect, sculptor, painter and workshop curator My idol wasn’t perfect, but that’s what makes it special. Knowing I made it myself adds a different emotion to the festival. This workshop was quite therapeutic — Nisha Kulkarni, a teacher ‘Creating the idol yourself adds another layer to the celebration’ For many participants, the appeal lies as much in the process as in the finished idol. With Ganpati, there is an emotional connection, so creating the idol yourself adds another layer to the celebration. Here are more Raksha Bandhan wishes , Bhadra kaal and Shubh Muhurat from The Times of India. Download the TOI App.
